Our purpose
Business creates opportunities for people to work together, understand different perspectives and build shared interests. UECN connects businesses across China and the UAE to encourage cooperation, strengthen mutual understanding and contribute to peace.
Discover Our MissionSharia-compliant trade finance platform mamun has raised a US$3 million seed round led by Phaze Ventures with participation from Jasoor Ventures. The capital will expand its AI-native underwriting infrastructure across the Greater Bay Area–Oman–UAE trade corridor. Approximately 40% of the platform's settlements currently clear through Hong Kong-based entities.
The UAE Federal Tax Authority has clarified mandatory registration deadlines under the Domestic Minimum Top-up Tax framework. In-scope multinational entities must complete Top-up Tax registration by 30 November 2026 via the EmaraTax portal. Failure to comply can result in an administrative penalty of AED 10,000 per entity.
Major Chinese financial institutions have emerged as leading syndicated debt providers for prominent Gulf energy operators including ADNOC, QatarEnergy, and Saudi Aramco. Analysts note Gulf state champions are deliberately tapping Chinese capital to secure narrow credit margins and diversify financing pools. In the UAE, three Chinese banks joined a consortium delivering up to USD 11 billion for ADNOC's offshore gas project.
The UAE's foreign trade sustained double-digit growth throughout the first nine months of 2026, according to Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Trade Fahad Al Gergawi. Speaking at the Dubai FinTech Summit, he highlighted that Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements stimulate industrial investments beyond tariff reductions. He also noted continued supply chain expansion via port projects in Fujairah and Khorfakkan and the Etihad Rail network.
Chinese engineering and equipment firms are playing an expanding role in the UAE's clean energy transition through major utility-scale projects. Developments include the 1.5-gigawatt PV3 Al Ajban solar project, phases of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, and integrated battery storage facilities.
Understand the policies, laws and regulations shaping business across China and the UAE.
Business registration · Investment · Taxation · Customs · Trade · Financial regulation · Employment · Visas · Free-zone policies
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tarik held bilateral talks in Beijing, issuing a 20-point joint statement. Oman expressed openness to negotiating a preferential bilateral trade and investment pact, while both sides pledged cooperation in energy, technology, and transport.
Oman and China signed 23 investment agreements and cooperation partnerships in Beijing, including two joint funds capitalized at a combined 1.1 billion US dollars. The agreements span renewable energy, mining, logistics, space technology, energy storage, and digital infrastructure across Oman and regional Gulf markets. The signings occurred during the Oman-China Investment Partnership Horizons Forum alongside His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik's state visit.
The UAE Federal Tax Authority issued Tax Public Clarification TAXP010 confirming that Free Zone and Designated Zone definitions differ across Corporate Tax, VAT, and Excise Tax. These definitions are not interchangeable, requiring companies to assess each tax regime independently. Certain zones like JAFZA, DAFZA, and KIZAD qualify as Corporate Tax Designated Zones, whereas ADGM, DIFC, and DMCC do not qualify as VAT Designated Zones.
Follow the trade, investment and partnerships bringing China and the UAE closer together.
Major Chinese energy corporations including CNPC, CNOOC, and Sinopec showcased low-carbon technologies, artificial intelligence, and field equipment at ADIPEC 2026 in Abu Dhabi. The exhibition convened approximately 2,260 companies representing more than 170 countries and regions. During the opening, UAE Minister and ADNOC Managing Director Sultan Al Jaber highlighted rising maritime logistics costs and called for closer energy supply-chain integration.
The UAE Ambassador to China, Dr. Ali Obaid Al Dhaheri, held a meeting with Wang Weizhong, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee and Secretary of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee. The discussion centered on the development of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone and opportunities for bilateral collaboration. Both sides explored potential cooperation across multiple areas, particularly in science and technology.
ISPO owner Raccoon Media Group has unveiled ISPO Sports Week, a week-long event series combining business-to-business trade fairs with consumer and community activations. A Dubai edition is scheduled for September 2027, while existing exhibitions in Shanghai and Beijing will transition into ISPO Sports Week Asia editions. Amsterdam will remain the flagship hub, with a US rollout scheduled for 2028.
The UAE Consul General in Guangzhou, Mariam Alshamsi, met with representatives from Guangzhou Industrial Investment Holding Group and Yingke Law Firm. The meeting focused on understanding the Chinese firms' internationalization strategies and identifying avenues to deepen cooperation. Both sides also discussed opportunities to expand commercial presence and operations within the UAE.
Explore the industries creating new opportunities for cooperation across both markets.
Consumer Markets & Tourism
SunExpress announced updated airport procedures for passengers traveling to Damascus, Syria, effective November 12. All passengers, including digital pass holders, must collect a physical boarding pass at airport counters. Check-in desks at Damascus International Airport will open three hours prior to departure due to heightened security checks.
Energy & Sustainability
Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq in Beijing for a state visit on November 2, 2026. The two nations signed multiple commercial and energy agreements and issued a 20-point joint declaration prioritizing maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz. Beijing also reaffirmed its intent to enhance trade and energy collaboration across Gulf Cooperation Council members.
Logistics & Trade
The value of goods exported from the UAE to Switzerland surged by 175% between January and May 2026, ranking it among the fastest-growing trade corridors globally, according to DHL's October Globalization Tracker. The surge occurred alongside significant movements in international gold trade and trade policy shifts. However, the UAE's total merchandise trade value contracted by 7% year-on-year over the same five-month period.
Technology & Digital Economy
Nvidia has instructed its cloud computing partners to ensure at least 51% of their business comes from non-Chinese customers, according to media reports. The guidance reportedly applies to new contracts and was delivered verbally through regional sales channels rather than written directives. The move comes amid stricter US export regulations affecting Chinese access to advanced computing chips.
Stay informed about official travel advisories, entry restrictions and transport disruptions across the Middle East.
Flight cancellation / route change
Damascus International Airport
Official travel advisory
Oman and wider Middle East transit routes
Official travel advisory
Qatar
Official travel advisory
North Sinai, Egypt-Libya border, South Sinai, Rafah crossing, Taba crossing
Alerts are based on official sources and show when they were last verified. Always follow the guidance of the official authorities. The absence of an alert does not mean that a destination is safe.
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